Act 5, Scene 1

[In front the house where Lucentio, Tranio, and Biondello have been staying while in Padua. Enter Gremio (the elder suitor) alone; he stands aside. Then enter Biondello, Bianca, and Lucentio (now dressed as a nobleman instead of a teacher)]

Biondello

Softly and swiftly, sir, for the priest is ready.

Lucentio

I fly, Biondello, but they may chance to need thee

at home, therefore leave us.

[Exeunt Lucentio and Bianca]

Biondello

Nay, faith, I'll see the church a’ your back, and

then come back to my master's as soon as I can.

[Exit Biondello. Gremio (the elderly suitor) comes forward. Either he has not seen Lucentio, or does not recognize him as the man he thinks is the school teacher Cambio.]

Biondello

Lucentio

Biondello

No, I swear I’ll make sure you’re safely married first, and then come back to my master’s as soon as I can.

[Exit]

Gremio

I’m amazed Cambio still hasn’t come.

[Enter Petruchio, Katherina, Vincentio, and Grumio, with attendants]

Petruchio

Sir, here’s the door. This is Lucentio’s house. My father’s is closer to the marketplace. I have to go there and leave you here, sir.

Vincentio

No, first you should come in and have a drink before you go. I order you to let me welcome you here. And there’s probably some food and drink being prepared.

[He knocks]

Gremio

They’re busy inside; you’d better knock louder.

[Merchant (as Vincentio) looks out of the window]

Merchant

Who is that who knocks like he’s trying to break down the gate?

Vincentio

Is Signor Lucentio inside, sir?

Merchant

He’s inside, sir, but not available to speak.

Sir, here's the door, this is Lucentio's house.

My father's bears more toward the market-place;

Thither must I, and here I leave you, sir.

Vincentio

You shall not choose but drink before you go.

I think I shall command your welcome here,

And, by all likelihood, some cheeris toward.

[He knocks]

Gremio

They're busy within; you were best knock louder.

[Merchant (impersonating Vincentio) looks out of the window]

Merchant

What's he that knocks as he would beat down the gate?

Vincentio

Is Signor Lucentio within, sir?

Merchant

He's within, sir, but not to be spoken withal.

Vincentio

What if a man bring him a hundred pound or

two to make merry withal?

Merchant

Keep your hundred pounds to yourself. He shall

need none, so long as I live.

Petruchio

[To Vincentio] Nay, I told you your son was well

beloved in Padua. [To Merchant] Do you hear, sir?

To leave frivolous circumstances,

I pray you, tell Signor Lucentio that his father

is come from Pisa, and is here at the door to speak

with him.

Merchant

Vincentio

What if someone brings him a hundred pounds or two, to enjoy ourselves inside?

Merchant

Keep your hundred pounds to yourself. He won’t need them, as long as I’m alive.

Petruchio

See, I told you your son was well-liked in Padua. Do you hear, sir? Setting aside pointless details, please, tell Signor Lucentio that his father has come from Pisa, and is here at the door to speak with him.

Merchant

You’re lying. His father has come from Padua already, and is here looking out the window.

Vincentio

Are you his father?

Merchant

Yes sir. That’s what his mother says, if I can believe her.

Petruchio

[To Vincentio] What is the meaning of this, gentleman? This is downright trickery, taking another man’s name.

Merchant

Get that villain! I think he’s trying to cheat someone in this city, pretending to be me.

[Enter Biondello]

Thou liest. His father is come from Padua and here

looking out at the window.

Wordplay

“His father is come from Padua and here looking out at the window”

[Click to see note.]

Wordplay

“His father is come from Padua and here looking out at the window”

The Merchant is “in Padua” not “come from Padua”; he’s mocking Petruchio’s statement, “his father is come from Pisa and is here at the door.”

Lucentio

Vincentio

Bianca

Baptista

Lucentio

Here’s Lucentio — the real son of the real Vincentio — who has made your daughter mine by marriage, while these false impersonations tricked your eyes.

Gremio

This is a conspiracy — here’s the proof — designed to deceive us all.

Vincentio

Where is that damn villain Tranio, who stood up to me and lied to me about this?

Baptista

Wait, tell me — this isn’t Cambio?

Bianca

Cambio has changed into Lucentio.

Where is Lucentio?

Lucentio

Here's Lucentio,

Right son to the right Vincentio,

That have by marriage made thy daughter mine,

While counterfeit supposesbleared thine eye.

Gremio

Here's packing, with a witness, to deceive us all!

Vincentio

Where is that damned villain Tranio,

That faced and braved me in this matter so?

Baptista

Why, tell me, is not this my Cambio?

Bianca

Performance

Lucentio and Bianca, Lines 103-110

Cambio is changed into Lucentio.

Lucentio

Love wrought these miracles. Bianca's love

Made me exchange my state with Tranio,

While he did bear my countenance in the town;

And happily I have arrived, at the last,

Unto the wished haven of my bliss.

What Tranio did, myself enforcèd him to;

Then pardon him, sweet father, for my sake.

Vincentio

Lucentio

Love performed these miracles. Bianca’s love made me switch places with Tranio, while he pretended to be me in town. And I have gladly finally arrived to the the bliss I hoped for. I forced Tranio to do what he did; forgive him, sweet father, for my sake.

Vincentio

I’ll slit the nose of the villain who would have sent me to jail!

Baptista

[To Lucentio] What, sir? Have you married my daughter without asking for my blessing?

Vincentio

Don’t worry, Baptista. We’ll do whatever you want. Relax. But I’m going inside to get my revenge for this mistreatment.

[Exit Vincentio]

Baptista

Me too, to figure out how far this foolishness has gone.

[Exit Baptista]

Lucentio

Don’t look pale, Bianca. Your father will be happy.

[Exeunt Lucentio and Bianca]

I'll slit the villain's nose that would have sent me

to the jail.

Cultural Context

“I'll slit the villain's nose”

[Click to see note.]

Cultural Context

“I'll slit the villain's nose”

In Shakespeare’s England, criminals often had their noses or ears slit while in jail so that they could be identified later as convicted felons.

Baptista

[To Lucentio] But do you hear, sir, have you married

my daughter without asking my good will?

Vincentio

Fear not, Baptista, we will content you, go to.

But I will in to be revenged for this villany.

[Exit Vincentio]

Baptista

And I, to sound the depth of this knavery.

[Exit Baptista]

Lucentio

Look not pale, Bianca; thy father will not frown.

[Exeunt Lucentio and Bianca]

Gremio

My cake is dough, but I'll in among the rest,

Out of hope of all, but my share of the feast.

[Exit Gremio]

Katherina

Performance

Petruchio and Katherine, Lines 121-131

Husband, let's follow, to see the end of this ado.

Petruchio

First kiss me, Kate, and we will.

Katherina

What, in the midst of the street?

Petruchio

What, art thou ashamed of me?

Katherina

Gremio

My goose is cooked, and I’m out of luck. But I’ll go in with the rest, hoping for nothing but a share of the feast.

[Exit Grumio]

Katherina

Husband, let’s follow, to see how this commotion ends.

Petruchio

First kiss me, Kate, and then we will.

Katherina

What, in the middle of the street?

Petruchio

What, are you ashamed of me?

Katherina

No, sir, God forbid! But I’m ashamed to kiss.

Petruchio

Well then, let’s go back home. [To Grumio] Come on, let’s go.

Katherina

No, I will give you a kiss, but please, my love, let’s stay here in Padua.

Petruchio

Isn’t this great? Come, my sweet Kate. Better late than never, for it’s never too late.